Department of Higher Education

A new program aimed at increasing access to higher education will assist students at 57 Missouri high schools with the college application process. Missouri College Application Week, sponsored by the Department of Higher Education, is set for Oct. 20-24.

Volunteers with college advising and admissions experience will work one-on-one with students to help them complete applications for higher education institutions they are interested in attending. The goal of the program is to increase the number of applications submitted by Missouri students - especially low-income students and those who would be the first in their families to attend college.

"During College Application Week the spotlight is on helping students who aspire to go to college but are intimidated by the application process or feel overwhelmed by the choices available to them," said David Russell, Missouri commissioner of higher education. "The program also helps students better understand the benefits of higher education and the importance of making college plans now."  

The expanded program follows a successful pilot project at 26 high schools in 2013. More than 2,000 students submitted approximately 3,600 applications to 259 higher education institutions. Organizers hope to double those numbers this year.

Participating high schools provide time and resources during the school day for all seniors interested in completing college applications. In addition, many of the high schools host assemblies and offer individual college advising to provide students with information about higher education opportunities.

"By 2018, approximately 60 percent of all jobs in Missouri will require some form of postsecondary education," Russell said. "Currently only about 46 percent of working age Missourians have a college degree or certificate. We want that number to be closer to 60 percent by 2025 to ensure that our state has the educated workforce needed to sustain a strong economy."

For more information about Missouri College Application Week, visit dhe.mo.gov/ppc/students/CollegeApplicationWeek.php.

 High schools participating in Missouri College Application Week include:

• Central Missouri:
• Eldon High School
• Moberly High School
• Warrensburg High School
•  Kansas City area:
• African-Centered Prep Academy
• Center High School
• Central Academy of Excellence
• East High School
• Fort Osage High School
• North Kansas City High School
• Northeast High School
• Paseo Academy
• Raytown High School
• Raytown South High School
• Ruskin Senior High School
• Southwest Early College Campus
• Van Horn High School
• Winnetonka High School
• Northeast Missouri:
• South Shelby High School, Shelbina 
•  South Central Missouri:
• Dixon High School
• Lebanon High School
• Rolla High School
• Salem High School
• St. Clair High School
• St. James High School
• Sullivan High School
• West Plains High School
• Southeast Missouri:
• Cape Girardeau Central High
• Caruthersville High School
• Central High School, New Madrid
• Charleston High School
• Dexter High School
• Hayti High School
• Jackson Senior High School
• Kennett High School
• Malden High School
• Poplar Bluff High School
• Potosi High School
• Scott County Central High School
• Senath-Hornersville Senior High School
• Sikeston Senior High School
• South Iron R-I High School
• Southwest Missouri
• Hillcrest High School, Springfield
• Parkview High School, Springfield
• St. Louis area:
• Bayless High School
• Carnahan School of the Future
• Gateway STEM High School
• Hancock High School
• Hazelwood East High School
• Jennings High School
• McCluer High School
• McCluer South-Berkeley High School
• Normandy High School
• Pattonville High School
• Ritenour High School
• Riverview Gardens High School
• Roosevelt High School
• Soldan International Studies